The Great British Bee Count!

We are all probably aware by now that our bees are in danger, not just here in the UK but worldwide. We have all seen the gardening programmes, articles, blogs etc advising us to plant bee-friendly flowers to help these little guys.

Friends of the Earth have launched their Great British Bee Count app so that you can play a part in helping the bees. By taking part in this count, you’ll learn more about our UK bees and easy ways to help them. You’ll also be helping bee experts build more understanding of our different species and how, for example, they’re coping with impacts such as climate change and habitat loss – so that ultimately their decline may be reversed.

The app is easy to use and, as you register each sighting, the information about the bee (including the habitat, geographic location and weather conditions) will be recorded on Friends of the Earth’s database. Your record will then be verified and uploaded them to the National Biodiveristy Network Atlas where they will be available to scientists and conservationists across the country. This year, wildflowers have also been included in the app to help in their identification too.

The Great British Bee Count is great fun and for a worthy cause. You can download the app from the Friends of the Earth website. Whilst the counting is only valid until 30 June (so hurry and get your app!) the information the app contains about bees is available all through summer to help you identify even more bees after the Count is over.

Please download the app and help our bees. As Friends of the Earth say “…by taking part, you’ll be sending a clear signal to the government and decision-makers that the public care about the future of bees. That’s why we want as many people as possible to take part – so that they can raise awareness among their friends and family about the wonderful world of bees and how everybody can take small steps to protect pollinators.”

We would love to know what bees you record – just drop us a comment and, if poss, a photo!